Godard on DVD and Blu-ray

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BrightEyes23 · #26 Post by **BrightEyes23** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:57 pm

Ok, couldn't resist a Godard film.

Obviously I haven't watched the films in their entirety, but I popped all 3 discs in, watched a minute or two just to get an overall idea of how the quality stacks up against the Fox Lorber.

Obviously their an improvement. Pierrot Le Fou's colors are much more vibrant, much more clear.

Fist Name:Carmen is an improvement, but from my first impressions not by a whole lot. It's been a while since I've watched my Fox Lorber disc and remembering it being bad but not AWFUL bad. This is just middle of the road transfer, but these more obscure Godard probably don't have the best prints to work with, and given Warner's record on the US and their great treatment, I'd say that this is PROBABLY the best we'll see at all.

Made in the USA on the other hand looks pretty great to me so far. This is the only one I havent actually seen yet, so I'm going to watch it now.
After I finish watching that I'll pop in "2 or 3 Things" and give it a quick view and report back.

devlinnn · #27 Post by **devlinnn** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 2:39 am

Hate to say I told you so, but AV Channel have f***** up again with their early announcements. New specs for the Godard -

DVD Features: - Audio Commentary By James Hewison, Director Of The Melbourne International Film Festival.

All those other features and films have vanished, very sad to say.

Price has dropped to AU$29.95 btw.

solent · #28 Post by **solent** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:48 am

That explains why the DVD was delayed. Thanks for the update. The main feature is the main issue I suppose and I am sure Criterion - who are cognisant of Godard's late 60s period - will release BRITISH SOUNDS et. al.

backstreetsbackalright · Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:27 pm

solent wrote:I am sure Criterion - who are cognisant of Godard's late 60s period - will release BRITISH SOUNDS et. al.

Think so? They haven't released anything else from the Dziga Vertov period, except Tout va bien, which only sorta counts. Although I guess Letter to Jane is probably in the same ballcourt....

Dylan · #30 Post by **Dylan** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 8:46 pm

Here's the DVDbeaverreview of the Optimun R2.

So it's in 1.33? I was sure I read somewhere that La Chinoise was a 2.35 film, but I guess that source was incorrect. In any case, looks like a very nice image.

Dylan

hellboytr · #31 Post by **hellboytr** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:50 am

I asked AvChannel about their previously announced extras for the La Chinoise DVD, here is the reply i got

Dear hellboytr,

We are still confirming the extra’s, however Gaumont have proved difficult and pulled the opportunity to add the extras you are referring to which comes as a great disappointment for all concerned.

Best regards,

Paul Wiegard

Licensing Manager | Madman Entertainment Pty Ltd
General Manager | The AV Channel Pty Ltd

1 - 35 Wellington St | Collingwood | Victoria 3066 | Australia

Phone +61 3 9419 5444 | Fax +61 3 8415 1955 | Mob +61 402 417 097

[email protected]

solent · #32 Post by **solent** » Fri May 27, 2005 1:13 am

I got my copy of LA CHINOISE today. I gave it a quick check and noticed that it is probably not the same source as the R2 (based upon the review from DVD Times). The colours look bright and clear and the subs are removable. The print seems to be very good but I'll confirm this when I watch it straight through tonight. There are no extras except for a commentary track by Melbourne Intl. Film Festival director James Hewison.

P.S. It is region free.

The Fanciful Norwegian · Fri May 27, 2005 5:28 pm

Maybe you and someone who owns the R2 can work something out and do a DVD Beaver comparison? I really want to buy this but I'm on the fence. How's the commentary on the R4 (assuming there is one)?

solent · #34 Post by **solent** » Fri May 27, 2005 11:32 pm

I'm happy with this disc. The colours are strong enough and the print has little in the way of artifacts. The commentary (I've listened to half) is intelligent but predictable in places. Hewison knows his Godard and puts the film in good historical context. Only one error [verbal] occurs where he states that Karina [Godard's wife in 1966] was the main actor in 2 OR 3 THINGS - he obviously meant MADE IN USA. I've never heard an Australian give a commentary before. It sounds strange to me even though I am an Australian. I forgot to note the source print but other Madman trailers have films on R4 DVD from Railto & New Yorker. The only logo on the back apart from Madman & AV Channel is FD [Films Distribution]. I've never heard of them before. Does anyone else know of them? Are they UK or US based?

The subs are removable if I forgot to mention before. I'd advise you to get it since the Aussie dollar is less than the US unless you prefer to wait for a R1 release: who knows what can happen.

solent · #35 Post by **solent** » Tue May 31, 2005 9:24 am

MADE IN USA seems to be very good to me in terms of both picture and sound considering both its age & the price of the overall package. Compared to the R4 LA CHINOISE I think this R2 disc has much better print/colour quality. Both films are known for their strong colour tones so despite being a little subdued LA CHINOISE could be better. Does anyone know if the R2 version of CHINOISE is as good as the R2 MADE IN USA? The subs are not fixed unlike those of PIERROT - which seems quite large in comparison. I can't fgure a way to turn them off since no provision to do so is provided.

Anyone wanting MADE IN USA as part of their Godard collection should get this disc. You can replace PIERROT woth the forthcoming [?] Criterion version down the track.

Costas · #36 Post by **Costas** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:33 am

For those too impatient to wait for the probable Criterion release, the French Studio Canal DVD of Pierrot Le Fou features an excellent anamorphic transfer, removable English subtitles, an English dubbed soundtrack and a commentary in French (sadly without subtitles).

BrightEyes23 · #37 Post by **BrightEyes23** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:16 pm

Costas wrote:For those too impatient to wait for the probable Criterion release, the French Studio Canal DVD of Pierrot Le Fou features an excellent anamorphic transfer, removable English subtitles, an English dubbed soundtrack and a commentary in French (sadly without subtitles).

Given the source elements, I was fairly impressed with the Optimum La Chinoise. Not to say that I was enthralled with it, but it looked about par for the quality of other Godard's we have on DVD from that time on my 50" DLP.

captgriff · #38 Post by **captgriff** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:53 pm

Has anyone seen the R2 Nouveau dvd of Vivre sa Vie (My Life to Live)?

I have seen several positive reviews, but am wondering how it compares in image quality to the R1 Fox/Lorber dvd (which looks surprisingly good, considering their track record).

Worth the purchase as an upgrade?

solent · #39 Post by **solent** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 5:25 am

Has anyone seen the R2 Nouveau dvd of Vivre sa Vie (My Life to Live)?

If memory serves the review on DVD Times stated that the VIVRE SA VIE image was on the dark side and that certain artifacts were present. Also the subs are not removable but probably electronic. I'll stick to my cheap Fox version for now hoping this classic will see a better R1 release down the track.

If Criterion's PIERROT is the same source print as the R2 Warners I would be happy. The source print used on the R2 is brilliant despite being marred by burnt on subs. I wonder if it's the same as the French release [Studio Canal?] The colours are outstanding as on MADE IN USA.

blindside8zao · #40 Post by **blindside8zao** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:30 am

Hey,

Godard is a director I haven't checked out yet. Was just wondering what I should purchase first?

Michael · #41 Post by **Michael** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:31 am

blindside8zao wrote:Was just wondering what I should purchase first?

Breathless and then My Life to Live...

viridiana · #42 Post by **viridiana** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:50 am

I second what Michael said, and would like to add Alphaville to that list. I also hear Weekend is pretty amazing, but I have yet to see it, sadly.

Floyd · #43 Post by **Floyd** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:04 am

I am not an authority on Godard by any means but my personal favorite is Band of Outsiders (Anna Karina glows on the screen in that film) so I think that is the best place to start. Then move to the most heralded of his films Breathless. I wouldn't call Alphaville very accessible so I would place that later down the line.

chaddoli · #44 Post by **chaddoli** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:40 am

I would also add Contempt to the list, a wonderful film about the film industry but also about love. It is uniquely structured, but accessable. Avoid Notre Musique at all costs.

lord_clyde · #45 Post by **lord_clyde** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:43 am

Pierrot La Fou, Breathless, and Band of Outsiders. I would say those are three that the uninitiated would most enjoy.

The Fanciful Norwegian · Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:35 am

I don't believe in doing anything by half-measures, so start with Vent d'Est, or maybe France/tour/detour/deux/enfants.

backstreetsbackalright · Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:52 am

The Fanciful Norwegian wrote:I don't believe in doing anything by half-measures, so start with Vent d'Est, or maybe France/tour/detour/deux/enfants.

Which'll mean hitting ebay....

Rufus T. Firefly · Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:35 am

I'll second the above suggestions, and add

Une Femme Est Une Femme

Avoid just about everything he made after 1967 until you have seen a few of the earlier ones.

blindside8zao · #49 Post by **blindside8zao** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:58 am

I agree with the Norwegian. I love hitting things in full swing. When I want a taste of Godard I want Godard. Not neccessarily something "accessible." When I started my foreign movie craze I made sure to get some Tarkovsky and Ozu. They are some of my favorites along with some more accessible.

I will take these recommendations.

bunuelian · #50 Post by **bunuelian** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:04 am

Alphaville is the Godard film I revisit the most often. I don't think it's anywhere near as challenging as many make it out to be, though if you aren't at least a little aware of some broad themes (film noir being the biggest one, but also Godard's overt mockery of cinematic norms) you'll be disappointed at first.

Godard is really several different directors. His New Wave stuff is all accessible, highly entertaining and good. I love all of them - even the ugly ones like Les Carabiniers. Contempt is an incredible piece. Breathless is quaint but I'd rent only since it looks like it may come in a Criterion edition soon. Band of Outsiders is also exquisite. Really, it's hard to go wrong with this period of Godard's work.

But from Pierrot le Fou forward, I can't stand him. His films after Pierrot seem designed only to annoy, and stray way too close to bad literature for my tastes. I can see what he was trying to accomplish, but I can't feel that he succeeded. He got caught up in a lot of simplistic thinking that doomed his attempt to transition from acclaimed director to intellectual giant.

As this thread will attest, some love his middle and late period work and prefer it to his New Wave stuff. I think it comes down to what you want to get from film. If you get righteous listening to 10-minute long monologues about Marxist ideology or just nothing whatever, his middle period stuff is right up your alley. If you prefer story and character, go for the New Wave.

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